Chapter XXXVI · Chapter 36

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

capable of being reached

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading He had been hot-headed, insolent, theatrical; and he had not written to acknowledge it.

acted upon; influenced

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

later than; following

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

free of guilt; not subject to blame

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

the childhood of a boy

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

-ing form of “curry” — season with a mixture of spices; typical of Indian cooking

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

one or the other of two

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

separation resulting from hostility

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

at any time

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

a feeling of favorable regard

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had been hot-headed, insolent, theatrical; and he had not written to acknowledge it.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

resulting from inflammation; hot and swollen and reddened

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

marked by casual disrespect

From this reading He had been hot-headed, insolent, theatrical; and he had not written to acknowledge it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had been hot-headed, insolent, theatrical; and he had not written to acknowledge it.

immediately past

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

not caught with the senses or the mind

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

not any; not one

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

provided with a secure reputation

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

To recall to mind.

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

have in common

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

of or relating to the theater

From this reading He had been hot-headed, insolent, theatrical; and he had not written to acknowledge it.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He recognised that he had not been blameless at the beginning of their estrangement--if, indeed, there ever had been a beginning--for their inflamed relations had existed to some extent back into boyhood as far as he could remember; but he had been responsible for at least a share in the fierce words in Ralph’s house after the death of the Carthusians.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

precisely as stated

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

at the time that

From this reading He had missed another opportunity at Lewes--at least one--when pride had held him back from speaking, for fear that he should be thought to be currying favour.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading And now this last opportunity, the best of all--when Ralph had been accessible and courteous, affected, Chris imagined, by the death of his mother--this too had been missed; and he had allowed his brother to ride away without a word of regret or more than formal affection.

the words that are spoken

From this reading TO CHARING Chris had something very like remorse after Ralph had left Overfield, and no words of explanation or regret had been spoken on either side.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading He had been hot-headed, insolent, theatrical; and he had not written to acknowledge it.